Works have commenced on site to rebrand and reconfigure the existing retail park at Parc Tawe Swansea for Hammerson Plc. The works are being implement on a Design & Build basis by contractor ISG.

The proposals seek to respond to the current economic climate by refurbishing the existing Retail Park to ensure that it meets retailers’ requirements and provides an attractive environment. The existing Retail Park forms a focal point at the Tawe bridge roundabout and the design proposals address the following deficiencies evident in the existing building design and form.

  • Outdated and worn building enclosure with no active frontages.
    The building frontages will be transformed by removing obstructing corridor frontages, by introducing new wall cladding and extensive areas of glazing which follow clean lines producing a strong contemporary image.
  • Claustrophobic unpleasant approach and linkage between the City Centre and the Retail Park.
    The enclosed corridor masking the side elevation to the Odeon Cinema will be opened up creating restaurant courtyards and facilitating a pavement coffee culture linking towards the cinema foyer.
  • Oversized retail units.
    The unit size mix will be improved through the subdivision of existing very large retail units enabling existing retailers to trade more effectively. This enables the sustainable reuse of the existing buildings in conjunction with improved construction insulation and energy efficiencies.
  • Understated approaches into the Retail Park from The Strand.
    Pedestrian linkages at grade on the Strand will be improved with a strong focus being introduced to the ground level entrance on the Strand .The elevations will be refurbished and a new glazed lobby introduced. The high level bridge will be completely refurbished, including new finishes handrails, tensioned balustrading and feature lighting which create a sense of theatre on the Strand and signal a new approach into the Retail Park from the City Centre.